Mini or Full Sternectomy

[RandyL]

Just got off the phone with my surgeon. He will perform whichever one I want tomorrow morning at 0700AM for my AVR..What would you guys do?

 

[Ross]

Mini if possible, but I have also reservations to the fact that I want him to have all the room in the world to do the job right. If that means full, so be it.

 

[Christian]

Ask him which one will give you the best overall result (considering all factors, including recovery times, operative risks, and durability of the procedure itself), and then go with that.

 

[EVELYN]

I'm with Rossman.....I know I would sure want him to have all the room he needed if something went awry....Either way, you still have to go through the healing process...just not as extensive. Best wishes on your surgery. Please have someone let us know how you did.

Evelyn

 

[Phyllis]

Dick had the mini - they can open you up more if they need to. The hospital and recovery time was the same, but he never had any pain or discomfort from the sternum. Which one is he more comfortable with??- I would want someone that does it all the time as Dr. Cohn does.

 

[RandyL]

He has done both very often, He said the length of the opening will depend on my size, which I am 6'3" so it might be a little longer. He will see. It really doesn't matter whatever he thinks he needs to do he will do and I will wake up with the results.lol

 

[Phyllis]

Dick is 6'3" and his is about 4 inches.

 

[gadgetman]

Dick is 6'3" and his is about 4 inches.

Oh, scar!!!!!! Sorry.

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[Phyllis]

Oh, scar!!!!!! Sorry.

May God Bless,

Danny

I knew I should have phrased that differently!

 

[Kate]

Bringing this conversation back on track... I had a mini and don't think it really made much difference. I was in the hospital the same amount of time and took the same amount of time to get back to work as most others posting here with traditional surgery (6 weeks). The only real difference seems to be cosmetic due to the much smaller scar. But, that's not nothing either. I'd say go with the mini if your Dr. thinks it's an okay choice for you but don't expect miracles from it. Kate

 

[Geo]

Mini

Mini

Randy,

I too had the same question. My cardiologist said to not let that be the determining factor, that you want the surgeon. to have good access to the valve. My surgery is not until 2/2 butI decided to go with the mini. My surgeon is also Dr. Cohn at the Brigham & Womens hospital in Boston. I did bring up the point to him saying that I want him to have the best access to the valve even if he had to extend it. He has done many of these so I feel confident that he will have the proper access. Good luck with your choice. Lets us know what you decide.

George

 

[labguides]

<,Dick is 6'3" and his is about 4 inches.>.

Thanks for the giggle.
__________________

 

[MikeHeim]

???

???

I'm 6'2" and mine is 5 inches. Scar, that is.

 

[geebee]

I would leave it up to the surgeon. I think the smallest opening that gives him the best access is the way to go. Since we are discussing "size", maybe if he has big hands, he will need a larger incision.

Best of luck.

 

[perkicar]

Oh, scar!!!!!! Sorry.

May God Bless,

Danny

Bad boy Danny! Of course she is talking about his scar!

 

[perkicar]

I asked for the mini but left it that he could do what he needed to do the job right. I got a full, but with the exception of the evil sneeze, can't say the sternum was the most uncomfortable part of the surgery. I think my neck and shoulders hurt alot more than my sternum. Reading my operative report he said it was "difficult exposure" so I'm sure he's glad he went with the full opening as well.
Good luck tomorrow--you'll be fine either way, enjoy the ride and the good drugs and we'll see you on the other side. Be sure to have someone post here so we're not all worrying!